ITC Moves on DISH/Gemstar Case

The International Trade Commission (ITC) declined to review an earlier decision handed down by one of its administrative judges concerning the patent infringement skirmish between Gemstar, EchoStar and other set-top box manufacturers.

The ITC ruling appears to be another win for EchoStar. At the ITC, Gemstar alleged that EchoStar and others infringed on its patents for its interactive program guide technology.

Gemstar-TV Guide said it intends to appeal the decision at the U.S. Court of Appeals. The company said it will continue pursuing the ITC decision along with other additional proceedings in the US District Court in Atlanta against the same parties.

EchoStar cheered the decision. Said David Moskowitz, senior vice president and general counsel at EchoStar, "We are pleased with the ITC's decision which vindicates EchoStar's long held position that its products do not infringe Gemstar's patents. Although the ITC found it unnecessary to take a position on the patent misuse issues, we are also pleased they chose not to overturn Judge Luckern's ruling which found Gemstar guilty of patent misuse."

From SkyReport (Used with Permission)